Summer Safety

Provide plenty of water and shade for you pets while they are enjoying the great outdoors so they can stay cool.

Be aware of heatstroke symptoms: panting (or sudden cessation of panting), salivating, vomiting, reddened gums and tongue, anxiety, weakness, racing heartbeat, and collapsing. Immediately move any pet exhibiting heatstroke to a cool, shady spot, and slowly reduce temperature by placing his/her body (not head) in cool water wrapping such as wet towels. Take your pet to a veterinarian immediately so that other supportive measures can be taken.

NEVER leave your cat or dog in a parked car. Even in the shade, the internal temperature of a car can rise to dangerous levels in minutes. Heatstroke can be fatal!

Areas most prone to sunburn on dogs and cats are the nose, face and ear tips. Cover them up with sunscreen. Also, be sure to cover the bodies of hairless pets and those with thin coats such as whippets and pugs.

If you don't have air-conditioning, help your indoor cat or dog remain cool by using fans to circulate air. Make sure that fans are out of reach from pets and children.

Be particularily careful if you own a pet prone to heat-related health problems. All dogs and cats are vulnerable to heatstroke; pets with short noses, long hair, obesity, or respiratory problems, however, are those at highest risk.

When walking your dog, steer clear of areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other chemicals. Please be alert to coolant or other automotive fluid leaking from your vehicle. Animals are attracted to the sweet taste, and ingesting just a small amount can be fatal. Call your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet has been poisoned.

Please make sure that there are no open, unscreened windows in your home through which pets can fall or jump.

Pets and pools can be a disaster. Prevent free access to pools and always supervise a pet if in any body of water.

Even in hot weather, pets need exercise. Take extra care with older and thick-coated dogs. Limit exercise to early morning or evening hours. Keep in mind that asphalt can get very hot and burn your pet's paws.